The Bible speaks about the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel. It shows God’s provision and His promise-keeping nature. Today, we’ll explore what dividing God’s land teaches us.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Baby
What Does The Bible Say About Dividing Gods Land
Leviticus 25:23
“The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers.”
This verse emphasizes that the land belongs to God and that the people are merely temporary residents. It highlights the importance of respecting God’s ownership and not dividing or selling His land among themselves.
God’s land is a gift to the people, and they are called to be stewards of it, taking care of it according to His instructions. Dividing the land would be a violation of God’s ownership and a disregard for the integrity of His plan for His people.
Psalm 105:11
“Saying, ‘To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit.’”
In this verse, God promises to give the land of Canaan to His people as their inheritance. It shows that God has a specific plan for the land and intends for it to be a place of blessing and prosperity for His chosen people.
Dividing the land would hinder the fulfillment of God’s promise and prevent the people from fully experiencing the blessings He has in store for them. This verse emphasizes the importance of preserving the unity of the land and not dividing it among different factions.
Psalm 78:55
“He drove out nations before them and allotted their lands to them as an inheritance; he settled the tribes of Israel in their homes.”
This verse recalls how God drove out the nations before the Israelites and allocated their lands to the tribes of Israel as their inheritance. It highlights God’s faithfulness and His active involvement in establishing the boundaries and territories of His people.
Dividing the land goes against God’s plan of settling the tribes of Israel in their rightful homes. It disregards the history and significance of the land as a promised inheritance from God and disrupts the established order that God has put in place.
Ezekiel 48:29
“This is the land you are to distribute among the tribes of Israel for inheritance and to divide it among them as their inheritance, declares the Sovereign LORD.”
In this verse, God directs the distribution of the land among the tribes of Israel as their inheritance. It emphasizes that the land should be divided according to God’s plan and under His authority as the Sovereign LORD.
Dividing the land outside of God’s instructions and without His guidance would go against His sovereign authority and disrupt the intended order and distribution of the land among His chosen people.
Numbers 34:2
“Command the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter Canaan, the land that will be allotted to you as an inheritance is to have these boundaries:”
In this verse, God instructs the Israelites to follow specific boundaries when they enter the land of Canaan. This indicates God’s desire for order and structure in the division of the land.
Dividing the land outside of these boundaries would be disregarding God’s instructions and would lead to a disorderly distribution that is not aligned with His original plan.
Joshua 13:7
“Now divide this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and half the tribe of Manasseh.”
Here, Joshua is commanded to divide the land among the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh. This shows that the division of the land is to be carried out according to God’s instructions and under the leadership of those appointed by Him.
The specific division of the land ensures equity and fairness among the tribes and preserves the order and unity of God’s plan. Dividing the land in any other way would disrupt the intended distribution and undermine the significance of God’s guidance.
Joshua 13:33
“But to the tribe of Levi, Moses had given no inheritance; the LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as he promised them.”
This verse underscores that the tribe of Levi, the priestly tribe, was not given a physical inheritance of land. Instead, their inheritance is the LORD Himself. It highlights the spiritual significance of belonging to God as the ultimate inheritance.
Dividing the land among all the tribes except for the tribe of Levi aligns with God’s plan to set them apart for His service. It demonstrates that there are different roles and responsibilities within God’s plan, and not all divisions are meant to be physical land divisions.
Numbers 36:3
“Now suppose they marry men from other Israelite tribes; then their inheritance will be taken from our ancestral inheritance and added to that of the tribe they marry into. And so part of the inheritance allotted to us will be taken away.”
In this verse, the daughters of Zelophehad express concern that marrying men from other Israelite tribes would result in the loss of their ancestral inheritance.
This highlights the importance of maintaining the integrity of each tribe’s inheritance and the preservation of the land division. Dividing the land through intermarriage could lead to the dilution and loss of specific tribal inheritances, disrupting the planned distribution of God’s blessings.
Numbers 36:4
“When the Year of Jubilee for the Israelites comes, their inheritance will be added to that of the tribe into which they marry, and their property will be taken from the tribal inheritance of our ancestors.”
This verse explains that in the Year of Jubilee, any land that had been added to a tribe through marriage would revert to the tribe into which they married.
It reinforces the idea that the land division is meant to be preserved and not altered through external factors such as intermarriage. Dividing the land in marriage should not lead to a permanent transfer but remain aligned with the original tribal inheritances.
Isaiah 14:2
“Nations will take them and bring them to their own place. And Israel will take possession of the nations and make them male and female servants in the LORD’s land. They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors.”
In this verse, God promises that Israel will possess the nations and make them servants in the LORD’s land. It portrays a restoration of their rightful place and authority within the land.
Dividing the land would hinder the fulfillment of this promise and prevent Israel from exercising the authority and influence God intends for them. It emphasizes the importance of unity and the unified possession of the land for Israel to fulfill its intended role.
Deuteronomy 19:14
“Do not move your neighbor’s boundary stone set up by your predecessors in the inheritance you receive in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess.”
This verse commands the Israelites not to move their neighbor’s boundary stone, which marks the inheritance boundaries set up by their predecessors.
It underscores the importance of respecting the established land divisions and inheritance boundaries. Dividing the land by changing or disregarding these boundaries would disrupt the intended distribution and lead to disputes and unfairness.
Proverbs 22:28
“Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.”
This proverb echoes the previous verse, emphasizing the importance of preserving the ancient boundary stones set up by the ancestors.
Dividing the land by tampering with these boundary markers would be an act of disregard for the wisdom and legacy of the past. It emphasizes the need to honor the original land divisions and the inheritances passed down by previous generations.
Deuteronomy 27:17
“Cursed is anyone who moves their neighbor’s boundary stone.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
In this verse, there is a curse pronounced on anyone who moves their neighbor’s boundary stone, accompanied by the affirmation of the people saying, “Amen!”
This curse highlights the seriousness of tampering with the land divisions and inheritance boundaries. Dividing the land by moving boundary stones would be a violation of God’s commandments and would bring about negative consequences.
Deuteronomy 32:8
“When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided all mankind, he set up boundaries for the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel.”
This verse states that the Most High allocated inheritances and set boundaries for the nations according to the number of the sons of Israel.
It emphasizes that God Himself is the one who divides and sets boundaries for the people. Dividing the land without considering God’s design and division would be contrary to His sovereignty and wisdom.
Psalm 78:54
“He brought them to the border of his holy land, to the hill country his right hand had taken.”
This verse describes how God brought the Israelites to the border of His holy land, the hill country that He had taken possession of.
It emphasizes that the land is not solely an earthly possession but a sacred inheritance established by God Himself. Dividing the land would disregard its holiness and the divine ownership bestowed upon it.
Proverbs 23:10
“Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless.”
This proverb advises against moving ancient boundary stones as well as encroaching on the fields of the fatherless.
It highlights the importance of preserving the established land divisions and inheritance boundaries, as well as the need to protect the rights and possessions of the vulnerable in society. Dividing the land through encroachment would perpetuate injustice and harm the most vulnerable among God’s people.
Deuteronomy 19:10
“Do this so that innocent blood will not be shed in your land, which the LORD your God is giving you as your inheritance, and so that you will not be guilty of bloodshed.”
In this verse, the Israelites are instructed to establish cities of refuge to prevent the shedding of innocent blood in the land the LORD is giving them as their inheritance.
This verse emphasizes the need to preserve the unity and integrity of the land, as dividing it haphazardly could result in disputes and the shedding of innocent blood. It underscores the responsibility to protect the sanctity of the land as an inheritance from God.
Numbers 34:13
“Moses commanded the Israelites: ‘Assign this land by lot as an inheritance. The LORD has ordered that it be given to the nine and a half tribes,'”
Here, Moses commands the Israelites to assign the land by lot as an inheritance, adhering to God’s order.
This process ensures fairness and impartiality in the division of the land, affirming God’s sovereignty and justice. Dividing the land outside of this ordered system would undermine the fairness and integrity of the distribution.
Psalm 47:4
“He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.”
This verse acknowledges that God has chosen the inheritance for His people and takes pride in His selection of the land.
Dividing the land would be a disregard for God’s choice and a failure to appreciate the significance of the land as a symbol of His love and favor toward His chosen people.
Amos 7:17
“Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘Your wife will become a prostitute in the city, and your sons and daughters will fall by the sword. Your land will be divided up with a measuring line and you yourself will die in a pagan country. And Israel will surely go into exile, away from their native land.'”
This verse carries a warning from the Lord to those who engage in evil practices, stating that their land will be divided up and they will experience destruction and exile.
It underscores the consequences of dividing the land through unrighteous actions and disobedience. It serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting God’s ownership and the unity of the land.
Jeremiah 48:21
“Judgment has come to the plateau, to Holon, Jahzah, and Mephaath, to Dibon, Nebo, and Beth-diblathaim,”
In this verse, judgment is pronounced upon several cities, including Dibon, Nebo, and Beth-diblathaim, indicating that division and destruction will come upon them.
This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of dividing the land outside of God’s plan and the judgment that can follow. It highlights the need for obedience and alignment with God’s intentions for His people and their land.